If you’re looking for the first real sign that Ontario’s local food season is underway, don’t look at the calendar, look for asparagus. 

Now in markets and grocery stores across the province, Ontario asparagus is the first fresh, field-grown vegetable of the season. Its relatively short but intense harvest window is a reminder of just how connected local food is to timing, weather and the realities of farming in Ontario. 

“This is the moment people have been waiting for,” says Teresa Van Raay, farmer and director with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. “After a long winter, asparagus is the first true taste of fresh, local food coming straight from Ontario fields. It’s a short season which makes it even more special.” 

Unlike many grocery store staples available year-round, asparagus has a narrow seasonal window from around early May to the first week of July. Warm spring temperatures can drive rapid growth, with spears emerging and maturing quickly — _sometimes growing up to 15 cm (6 inches) in a single day. That means Ontario farms are often harvesting daily to keep up and deliver the best possible quality. 

“It really shows how dynamic farming can be – timing is everything,” Van Raay adds. “Harvesting at just the right moment matters so consumers get that fresh, tender product.” 

Once harvested, Ontario asparagus is quickly cooled and packed, helping preserve its flavour and texture from field to plate. Beyond being the first crop of the season, asparagus also highlights the strength and innovation of Ontario’s agriculture sector. Many growers rely on modern varieties developed for Canadian conditions, helping improve yields, consistency and resilience in the face of unpredictable weather. 

Fast facts:

• Asparagus is a perennial crop that can produce for up to 20 years, but farmers must wait two to three years after planting before the first harvest. 

• Ontario is Canada’s leading asparagus-producing region, supported by ideal soils and climate conditions. Most of the province’s asparagus grows in Norfolk County. 

• Many farms grow modern, all-male hybrid varieties such as Millennium, developed at the University of Guelph, which are better suited to Ontario’s climate and produce higher yields. In fact, more than 90 per cent of asparagus grown in Canada today is Millennium.

Source:  Ontario Federation of Agriculture May 20, 2026 news release